3 Ways to Convert to a Solar Home
There are many affordable solar energy technologies that can be applied when converting your home into a solar home.
Passive solar design can cater for your heating, cooling and natural lighting needs.
Solar electricity can be used to provide power to household appliances and solar water heating can be used to provide hot water for baths, showers, cleaning and laundry.
Energy efficiency as well as cost effectiveness are important considerations when planning a solar home.
No special equipment is required for a passive solar home as this method involves using the design of the structure to provide heating, cooling and natural light.
By using the environment you can achieve reductions in energy usage.
Passive solar homes rely on the materials used in their construction for heating in winter or the block out the heat in summer and assist with cooling.
There a a number of passive solar techniques that can be applied to a solar home:
Photovoltaic cells are used to generate electricity from the sun's energy.
An inverter is used to convert the DC current produced by the solar panels into usable AC (household) current.
The solar electricity can be used together with an existing electricity supply or can be used as the sole source of electricity if a battery bank is installed.
If using solar power as the primary electricity source it is suggested that a generator be provided to supply backup power.
A common feature of solar homes is the use of solar water heating systems.
There are two types of solar water heating available:
Energy efficiency is the most important aspect of a solar home, regardless of which methods are used.
Being energy efficient will reduce the need for heating, cooling or electricity usage.
Better insulation, better glazing, energy efficient appliances and lighting will result in significant savings in electricity consumption.
As some of the methods might not be possible when converting an existing home or building, the success of the conversion to a solar home depends on you being as energy efficient as possible.
Passive solar design can cater for your heating, cooling and natural lighting needs.
Solar electricity can be used to provide power to household appliances and solar water heating can be used to provide hot water for baths, showers, cleaning and laundry.
Energy efficiency as well as cost effectiveness are important considerations when planning a solar home.
No special equipment is required for a passive solar home as this method involves using the design of the structure to provide heating, cooling and natural light.
By using the environment you can achieve reductions in energy usage.
Passive solar homes rely on the materials used in their construction for heating in winter or the block out the heat in summer and assist with cooling.
There a a number of passive solar techniques that can be applied to a solar home:
- Direct gain: radiant heat from sunlight passes directly into the living space and is absorbed by the furniture, flooring, etc.
This is achieved by using south facing windows (for those in the northern hemisphere). - Indirect gain: this involves an attached Trombe wall that collects heat and distributes it through the home using fans.
- Thermal mass: materials such as stone or brick collect and store heat during the day and release the heat at night.
- Passive cooling: one method is install overhangs on south facing windows to prevent direct sunlight from heating the living areas.
The design may also incorporate convection methods which would allow hot air to escape through high level openings and thereby drawing cooler air into the space.
Photovoltaic cells are used to generate electricity from the sun's energy.
An inverter is used to convert the DC current produced by the solar panels into usable AC (household) current.
The solar electricity can be used together with an existing electricity supply or can be used as the sole source of electricity if a battery bank is installed.
If using solar power as the primary electricity source it is suggested that a generator be provided to supply backup power.
A common feature of solar homes is the use of solar water heating systems.
There are two types of solar water heating available:
- Open loop system: hot water is provided by the sun heating water filled tubes.
This system can be used in areas that do not experience freezing temperatures in winter. - Closed loop system: water is indirectly heated by an anti-freeze type liquid through the use of a heat exchanger.
Energy efficiency is the most important aspect of a solar home, regardless of which methods are used.
Being energy efficient will reduce the need for heating, cooling or electricity usage.
Better insulation, better glazing, energy efficient appliances and lighting will result in significant savings in electricity consumption.
As some of the methods might not be possible when converting an existing home or building, the success of the conversion to a solar home depends on you being as energy efficient as possible.
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